Finalizing a Custom Johnson leather jacket.

[mowgli222]

I have been lucky that the very first jacket I ordered was spot on in fit. This was an Aero Sheene in Seal Vicenza. I have been wearing it when possible. However this being the very first batch of Vicenza, it is a little heavier and is not something I reach for on a regular basis.

During that time, I also had the pleasure of working with Alan at Johnson Leather and getting a M200 in Horween Vermont. Loved the leather, but ended up selling the jacket due to it not being an ideal fit.

Now Alan has got another batch of this leather and I am in the process of finalizing the jacket.

I have also come to the realization that I only like cafe racer style jackets and this is going to be no different. I am going full custom and just trying to replicate the fit of the Aero and work on making it the lightest jacket possible using the Vermont leather.

I am going to ask him to copy this jacket with the below changes.

1. Symmetric mandarin collar.
2. Straight yoke in the back.
3. Lightest/breathable lining. I want it to be a three season jacket.
4. Still debating the pockets. I have not used any of the pockets on my Aero ever and was thinking about just keeping the chest pocket.

Any other suggestions to make this better?

Thank you.

Here is a picture of how my current jacket fits.

 

[Guppy]

Hmm, for the lining, how about nylon mesh?

Maybe zippered vent openings instead of pockets?

That sheene looks fantastic!

 

[mowgli222]

@Guppy Thank you.. I will look into the nylon mesh. About the vents, I am not so sure.. never seem them in person.

 

[Guppy]

@Guppy Thank you.. I will look into the nylon mesh. About the vents, I am not so sure.. never seem them in person.

They're common on motorcycle jackets. Open the zipper, and air can flow through the jacket, even if the main zipper is done up. Works great in windy conditions on a hot day.

 

[mowgli222]

They're common on motorcycle jackets. Open the zipper, and air can flow through the jacket, even if the main zipper is done up. Works great in windy conditions on a hot day.

Ah that makes sense. It is very rare that I zip up my jacket and I also do not ride. So those would be redundant.

 

[hondurasdave47]

Call me crazy, but I think that original Johnson M-200 looked great on you!

I love that Horween Vermont leather. I'm actually waiting on a sample of it now from Alan.

Dave

 

[mowgli222]

@hondurasdave47 I know. I did not want to sell that jacket too. The leather was gorgeous. However there were a few things (wind flap, back, shoulders, slimmer arms) that if I wanted fixed, would have been really expensive.

 

[mowgli222]

Put in my order finally.. For the lining I went with japan light wool that Alan had. Also will get the brass talon zippers. Now to wait for the jacket to be made..

 

[JMax]

Did you keep the hand warmer pockets? I never use them either, so prefer jackets w/o them.

 

[ton312]

Can't wait to see how this turns out. Alan and co. are brilliant and absolute masters of the craft.

 

[mowgli222]

Did you keep the hand warmer pockets? I never use them either, so prefer jackets w/o them.

Still undecided on those.. For now I asked him to take them off..

 

[Peacoat]

That Vicenza looks the business. It appears to be more brown than seal, though. Don't know why you don't wear it 24 hours a day. It looks good enough to even sleep in!

 

[sweetfights]

That Vicenza looks the business. It appears to be more brown than seal, though. Don't know why you don't wear it 24 hours a day. It looks good enough to even sleep in!

I agree wholeheartedly!

 

[technovox]

You might consider getting it with just the two chest pockets, and no hand warmers. It's a very classic and trim cafe racer look.
That Vicenza Sheene looks amazing!

 

[navetsea]

I think if you only get a pair of chest pockets, the pockets can be brought down a little bit (2-3cm or 1") to keep the proportion balanced, just my opinion

 

[HoosierDaddy]

That Sheene is mean...

 

[mowgli222]

Alan sent me a few pictures of my jacket.. really excited about this..

 

[ton312]

Alan sent me a few pictures of my jacket.. really excited about this..

I would be too!!! Post that sucker up when you have it! Another example of JL's top tier work!

 

[navetsea]

the body of the jacket looks very nice.
hand opening seems a little big for a totally zipped cuff, seems like your fist can slide into it without opening the zipper (or maybe just photo effect)
I like it better if the collar band is installed inside/ under the body panel and cut more conical hugging the neck more than straight up vertical, but that just my own preference

 

[Superfluous]

That is super clean -- real nice look!